Jupiter's storms reveal secret ingredient: Ammonia ice balls
Scientists have discovered that during storms on Jupiter, ice balls containing ammonia and water fall. This unusual phenomenon sheds new light on the uneven distribution of this compound on the planet's surface.
During storms on Jupiter, an extraordinary event occurs. Strong gusts of wind and rain lead to the formation of ice balls combined with ammonia in the planet's atmosphere. These formations resemble wet snow and are the result of complex atmospheric processes. According to Science Alert, researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, led by Chris Moeckel, studied this phenomenon for three years. Although initially skeptical, the researchers confirmed the existence of this surprising process through their studies.
How do these unusual ice balls form?
The hypothesis regarding the formation of water-ammonia balls emerged in 2020 when researchers analyzed data from the Juno probe. During storms, water is thrown high above the water clouds, where it encounters ammonia vapor. In extremely low temperatures, the water and ammonia freeze together, forming hail. Heidi Becker from NASA explains that ammonia acts like an antifreeze, lowering the ice's melting point.
Jupiter's storms are surprising
Jupiter's atmosphere is characterized by storms that penetrate deep into the atmosphere. While most weather phenomena are shallow, some, like cyclones or thunderstorms, extend deep into the troposphere. It is within these storms that the balls, which transport ammonia deep into the planet, form.
Previously, scientists were unsure what removed ammonia from the atmosphere, but this phenomenon explains the uneven distribution of ammonia in Jupiter's atmosphere. Ice balls containing ammonia and water fall, carrying ammonia into the planet's interior and transporting it to the surface during violent storms.
Possibility of occurrence on other planets
The mechanism of mushball formation may not be unique to Jupiter. Scientists suggest that similar processes might occur on other gas giants in the Solar System and beyond. Future observations may confirm these assumptions.
